Apple is set to release its first Mac computers with M3 chips in October, as revealed by Mark Gurman in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter. Following their usual event for launching new iPhones in September, where the unveiling of the iPhone 15 is expected, Apple is finalizing plans to introduce a new range of Macs during the month of October. Possible models include the new iMac M3, 13-inch MacBook Air M3, and MacBook Pro M3.
A new era is dawning with Apple M3 chips
The anticipation surrounding the M3 chip is notable, as it is expected to maintain a similar core count to the M2 chip with its different variants: M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra— which we will see after the initial launch. While they may have the same number of cores, their performance and efficiency are expected to be significantly enhanced due to the shift to a new 3-nanometer manufacturing process.
While it is true that the introduction of the first M3 Macs closely aligns with the M2 cycle, with products like the Mac Studio with M2 Ultra and the 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 recently launched, it is also true that we have been hearing about delays for months. There have been claims that Apple may have even wanted to make the leap to 3nm with the same M2 chip, or at least with the M2 Pro and M2 Max. Therefore, the fact that we are finally getting the advancement we have been waiting for almost a year, now in October, makes sense.
Adding to that, according to Gurman, it would be with the MacBook Air that Apple would introduce the M3 chip, and it would take several more months before we can expect a MacBook Pro or a Mac Studio with the same chips. This timeline adds another dimension.
While Gurman’s sources confirm, bearing in mind that these are still rumors, the October release, what remains uncertain is whether Apple will hold a dedicated event. In the past, we have seen the company release multiple Mac updates through press releases. It is true that the significance of the change warrants an explanation and presentation, but we will have to wait for the official confirmation to be sure.
A much bigger change than expected
To understand why Apple’s new M3 chip promises to be a significant leap forward, it is essential to grasp the concept of nanometers (nm) in chips and how reducing their size can improve efficiency and performance.
In the world of technology, nanometers refer to the size of transistors, which are the components that process information in a chip. Smaller size allows for more transistors to be packed into the same space, resulting in higher performance and efficiency.
In this regard, the transition from Apple’s M2 to the M3 chip represents a significant advancement as it moves from a 5nm manufacturing process to a 3nm process. This change enables Apple to incorporate even more transistors in the chip, thereby improving the performance of their devices without sacrificing energy efficiency.
Why is this important? By reducing the size of transistors, less power is required to operate them, and they generate less heat during operation. As a result, devices can run for longer periods on the same battery charge while increasing their power with the additional transistors. In other words, we can expect the new Macs with M3 chips to be even faster and equally efficient: more power, same battery life.
Indeed, the shift in Apple’s chip generation not only promises to be significant but could also substantially change both design possibilities and our understanding of what a portable device is capable of. We can only confirm this when the first Macs with M3 chips are in our hands, but there could be some exciting surprises in store.
Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.
